Jos van der Kooy (1951) studied organ and improvisation with Piet Kee at the Conservatory of Amsterdam where he was awarded the Prix d’Excellence in 1981. He continued his studies with Hans Hasselböck (improvisation), Ewald Kooiman (Bach and French baroque music), Daniel Roth (Franck) and Charles de Wolff (Liszt, Reger, and twentieth-century reportoire).

Since 1981 Jos van der Kooy has been the Director of Music and Organist of the Westerkerk in Amsterdam. In 1990 he was appointed City Organist in Haarlem. In this position he presides over the Müller organ in the Great or Saint Bavo church and the Cavaillé-Colle organ in the Philharmonic during the annual recital series. He is involved in the International Organ Festival, Haarlem, as a teacher, adjudicator, and member of the board. Van der Kooy teaches organ, improvisation and church music at the Royal Conservatory in The Hague and the Faculty of Arts at Leiden University. He has recorded for Television, radio and CD/DVD. He is an advocate of contemporary music, especially the works of Dutch composers. His interpretation of the music of Max Reger and César Franck has been met with much approval. As a concert artist and teacher, he propagates the art of improvisation. The following prizes and awards have been conferred upon him:

• Tournermire Prize, International Organ Festival, Saint Albans, 1977.

• First Prize, National Improvisation Competition, Bolsward, 1978.

• First Prize, International Improvisation Competition, Haarlem, 1980, 1981.

• Silver Medal, 1989 and Gold Medal 1990, of the Société Académique
  “Arts, Sciences, Lettres,” Paris, for his services to French Music.

Jos van der Kooy at the Christian Müller Organ console